conference committee
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — LBJ Medical Center will no longer receive any specific “earmarked” funding under with the elimination of the 2% wage tax, while the tobacco excise tax will hike by 3 cents under the final language of a Senate bill approved by the majority of the Fono Conference Committee...
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — As expected, the Senate has rejected amendments the House made to a Senate bill, which seeks to hike the tobacco tax by 3 cents and reduce the 2% wage tax to 1%, and the Senate is calling a conference committee with the House to discuss the changes.
Prior to approving...
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Despite initial opposition from Senators over the amendments the House made to the Senate bill that would allow voters stranded off island due to the COVID-19 pandemic to vote in the November 3rd elections, Senators last Friday approved the changes during a conference...

![Togiola repeated at least three times, that he wants his objection “on record” for the Senate journal and insisted that this bill — in its amended form — leaves LBJ with no “earmarked” funding source. [SN file photo] Sen. Togiola T.A. Tulafono](https://www.samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/sen_togiola_tulafono_0833.jpg?itok=deZ-JKlz)
![Sen. Magalei Logovi’i, who sponsored the bill, said a conference committee would give an opportunity to the House to explain their reasons behind the amendments. [SN file photo] Sen. Magalei Logovi’i](https://www.samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/sen_magalei_4.jpg?itok=gAzHd422)
![A conference committee between the House and Senate led by the House Speaker Savali Talavou Ale (left) and Senate President Gaoteote Palaie Tofau (rught) on Friday, reached a compromise to accept the changes made by the House. [SN file photo] House Speaker Savali Talavou Ale (left) and Senate President Gaoteote Palaie Tofau (rught)](https://www.samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/senate_prez_n_speaker_0.jpg?itok=uXlR-iv6)